M&P Slide Locked/Jamed

[Bjordan]

Hey Folks,
Last night, a friend and his wife came over to do some shooting and were happily doing fine. After maybe 3 or 4 mags, the 9mm round fired locked the pistol slide back, just past the slide release and it is jammed solid. The slide will move back and forth - front to back, little more than just a wiggle really, but its not much. Gentle persuasion doesn't help. The round didn't show any signs of over pressure, nor did the male shooting note any "extra" recoil. It wasn't the round. I shot it some before it locked up and it was shooting fine.

It essentially looks like the slide is locked fully back, but not held back with the slide release and will not go forward. The barrel does not move. I don't have another M&P to compare it to. An empty mag inserted make no difference.

Any thoughts or ideas? I could post pics, but it looks like the slide is just fully back.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RobzGuns]

Is it possible that the recoil spring assembly got knocked off it's perch and is blocking movement?

 

[Bob O]

Is the take down lever in the normal horizontal position?

Can you wiggle the barrel at all?

 

[Bjordan]

Is the take down lever in the normal horizontal position?

Can you wiggle the barrel at all?

The take down lever will move from the 3 o'clock position to it's 6 o'clock position. I gently tried to pull it out in the 6 o'clock position, but it didn't come out.

The barrel is not moving, at all.

Thanks so far!

 

[Bjordan]

Is it possible that the recoil spring assembly got knocked off it's perch and is blocking movement?

Not really sure - I cant see in there. The guide rod moves/wiggles and it also spins - not sure if its threaded in to a block or something.

 

[Bob O]

When you rotate the takedown lever, is there any resistance? There should be a decent amount of resistance from the spring when rotating it downwards, and it should sort of snap back to horizontal when you flick it back up.

No wiggle in the barrel with the slide back definitely indicates that something is jammed up, as it should wiggle when the slide is back.

 

[Bjordan]

When you rotate the takedown lever, is there any resistance? There should be a decent amount of resistance from the spring when rotating it downwards, and it should sort of snap back to horizontal when you flick it back up.

No wiggle in the barrel with the slide back definitely indicates that something is jammed up, as it should wiggle when the slide is back.

Hey Bob, yes, there is a decent amount of resistance and then it snaps into the 6 o'clock position and then if slightly pushed, the lever will snap back to the 3 o'clock position.

This gun was bought used, but I don't think it was shot much, it looked new to me and these folks have maybe 250 rounds down it since they got it. All bone stock, no mods.

 

[Bob O]

Check something for me please.....the hole in the forward end of the slide where the recoil spring guide rod protrudes, make sure no part of the spring is sticking through the hole.

If the spring is intact as an assembly, then the bottom rear of the barrel must be locked in the trigger block.

 

[Bob O]

This pic is with the slide full rearward, you can see the slide lock/catch in the slide......is your slide further rearward than this?

This pic shows the gap between the top of the barrel and the hole in the slide.....does your barrel sit higher than this?

 

[TimmyRay]

Hmm, did it eject the spent round?

 

[Bob O]

jordan,

Can you post some pics from the top view and left side view?

 

[Bjordan]

Check something for me please.....the hole in the forward end of the slide where the recoil spring guide rod protrudes, make sure no part of the spring is sticking through the hole.

If the spring is intact as an assembly, then the bottom rear of the barrel must be locked in the trigger block.

Bob, I do not see any of the recoil spring protruding though any portion of the slide and none is coming through the hole. In fact, no matter how I turn the pistol, I can not see any of the recoil spring.

 

[Bob O]

That's good. Still can't get the slide to go forward? When you push up on the slide lock, is the catch forward of the catch slot in the slide?

Also, check for any visible cracks in the polymer frame in the immediate area of the roll pin that holds the trigger block in place.

 

[texmex]

Another example of why autos are a passing fad.

 

[Bjordan]

Hey Bob, I attached three pics, let me know if you need additional view. Thanks!

 

[Bjordan]

Hmm, did it eject the spent round?

It did eject the spent case.

 

[Bjordan]

That's good. Still can't get the slide to go forward? When you push up on the slide lock, is the catch forward of the catch slot in the slide?

Also, check for any visible cracks in the polymer frame in the immediate area of the roll pin that holds the trigger block in place.

Bob, when I push up on the slide release, the slide is too far back - by about 1/8" or 3/13" of an inch. No cracks anywhere in the polymer fame.

 

[Bkreutz]

Next thing would be to remove the striker and see if that frees up the slide. Look at post 711 of this thread http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/338155-shield-40-mishap.html it shows how to remove the end cap and striker, you should be able to access this with the slide locked back.

 

[Bob O]

jordan,

Here is my FS 40.....this is the furthest back the slide can go. Yours does not look like its as far back as mine. Can you move the slide lock upward and see where along the slide it is?

 

[Bjordan]

Next thing would be to remove the striker and see if that frees up the slide. Look at post 711 of this thread http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/338155-shield-40-mishap.html it shows how to remove the end cap and striker, you should be able to access this with the slide locked back.

Ok, thanks - I followed the directions and I got the striker out. Still no joy - the slide is locked back tighter than a tick still.